Principal Wireless Software Engineer – TeraWave Networking

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

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As a Principal Wireless Software Engineer, you will serve as a technical cornerstone of our networking team as we move from concept to orbital reality. You will architect the wireless protocols that allow our satellites to function as a unified, high-performance fabric. This is a high-impact leadership role focused on the intelligence driving our wireless system, where you will not simply implement existing standards, but architect a custom, high-efficiency Media Access Control (MAC) layer capable of managing multi-gigabit throughput in a highly dynamic, non-terrestrial environment.

You will lead the technical strategy for orchestrating wireless resources, ensuring low-latency packet delivery, and integrating wireless technologies into a cohesive, space-hardened network.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the design and end-to-end ownership of custom wireless MAC protocols specifically optimized for high-velocity LEO satellite links, including inter-satellite and ground-to-space applications
• Develop sophisticated resource allocation, scheduling, and interference mitigation algorithms that leverage principles from 3GPP, WiFi, and WiMAX, optimized for orbital dynamics
• Architect high-speed dataplanes using frameworks such as DPDK or VPP, ensuring the software stack can handle massive throughput with minimal jitter and CPU overhead
• Collaborate closely with PHY and RF teams to define the software-hardware interface, ensuring tight integration between signal processing and protocol logic
• Define the technical roadmap for the wireless stack, performing trade-off analyses between latency, reliability, and spectral efficiency
• Serve as a subject matter expert and mentor to senior and staff-level engineers, driving best practices in embedded software and wireless systems design

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate degree (MS or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• 12+ years of professional software development experience in wireless networking
• 5+ years in a principal or lead architectural role
• Deep expertise in the fundamentals of wireless communication systems, including modulation, coding, link budget analysis, and multi-user access schemes
• Extensive experience designing and implementing MAC and PHY layers across standards such as 3GPP (4G/5G), IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), or 802.16 (WiMAX)
• Expert-level C/C++ skills within Linux-based real-time (RTOS) or high-performance user-space environments
• Proven track record of building high-performance packet processing engines and managing low-level memory and buffer architectures

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience developing flight or ground software for LEO/MEO satellite constellations such as Starlink, Project Kuiper, or OneWeb
• Experience designing proprietary wireless protocols beyond off-the-shelf standards for specialized hardware environments
• Familiarity with Software Defined Networking (SDN) principles as applied to wireless backhaul and core networks

 

Compensation Range for:

CA applicants is $230,773.00 - $323,081.85 WA applicants is $230,773.00 - $323,081.85

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles:  Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation